I worship and serve as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario. Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899), American evangelist, pastor and educator Twentieth century [ edit] (This list is organized chronologically by birth) Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), blind American writer of many famous hymns including "Blessed Assurance" Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910), Scottish Baptist minister 76. What's the deal? His whole life was all about spreading the news. . What followed was a House of Cards-worthy circle of blackmail that saw Gorman reinstated and Swaggart taken off the air for a spell. Welcome to American Association of Evangelicals Biblical wisdom, true love. Howard and Roberta Ahmanson This wealthy financier couple has funded faith-based projects including intelligent design research, many Christian higher learning institutions, and other prominent Christian organizations. James Robison is credited with founding a Christian relief organization called Life Outreach International where he also serves as the president. Jones figured out who Ted was during his non-meth-and-solicitation hours and blabbed to the press. 1. Active in the 1859 prayer revival in Chicago, Moody helped establish Chicago's YMCA and became its first full-time employee. In 2008, George was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by George W. Bush for bringing analytic clarity to the study of Americas ideals. Their ministry fell pretty clearly under the umbrella of "that's absolutely a cult" when it was discovered that they had followers working in a sweatshop, producing high-end denim jackets that were sold for hundreds of dollars. These are in no particular order. 72. What makes Warnke's case all the more fascinating is that he was actually outed as a fraud by a Christian publication, Cornerstone Magazine, in an expos in 1991. If God created man and man created the small two-way radios that Popoff and an assistant used to have secretly communicate while Popoff was performing, then hallelujah. 9. A converted shoe salesman, Moody had a passion for seeing souls converted to Christ. (Their criteria was simple: They chose people who share a common belief in the holiness of scripture and the centrality of faith in Jesus Christ for their lives.). Remember the Alamos. He is one of the most popular televangelists in the world, with his televised sermons being watched by millions of people every week in over 100 countries, including 10 million viewers in the US alone. Tebow has also written several books and supported philanthropic organizations like Cure International. Stuart Epperson The co-founder and chairman of the board of Salem Media Group, Epperson has guided the media company that syndicates radio content and provides internet, magazine, and book content to Christian, conservative, and family audiences. His shining quote: "Consent is puberty." Popular televangelists have faced great criticism, especially if they act as faith-healers. 5. Tamara Faye Messner (ne LaValley, formerly Bakker; March 7, 1942 - July 20, 2007) was an American Christian singer, evangelist, entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and television personality. And by "lost everything," we mean he's now back on TV and has his own network again. Anne Graham Lotz The daughter of Billy Graham, Lotz is the founder of AnGeL Ministries and the author of 11 books including Just Give Me Jesus, on which she based popular revivals for women that are held in arenas and draw large audiences. Priscilla Shirer A Bible study teacher, speaker, and author who travels and speaks at conferences around the U.S. and the globe, Shirer's book Fervent was a companion to the popular Christian film War Room, in which she appeared. He was involved in sex scandals in the late 1980s and early 1990s and suffered a temporary setback. Jennie Allen A Bible study teacher and author of several award-winning books, Allen also founded the IF: Gathering conferences to equip women for ministry. 74. He just got a bald eagle. In a roundabout way, it was true. 1. Quick recap: in 1973, Jim and his then-wife Tammy Bakker co-founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network, home of their program The PTL Club. Interestingly, it also states in Matthew that Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Well, Jesse Duplantis feels your pain. F. Scott Fitzgerald famously noted that "there are no second acts in American lives." He said he prayed so hard over the letters that the ink leaked into his bloodstream, and by the way that's why he needed plastic surgery, paid for by aforementioned donations. She founded Joni and Friends, a Christian advocacy ministry for the disability community. 10. Robert Jeffress The pastor of the 13,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, Jeffress hosts the television and radio program Pathway to Victory, airing on 1,200 television stations and 900 radio stations in 195 countries. Cameron now appears in Christian films and has commented on political and societal issues as well as participating in several ministries, including his own TV series "The Way of the Master. To avoid Swaggart's potential power grab, he handed Jerry Falwell Sr. the keys to the kingdom. David Brody The chief political correspondent at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Brody's got a book on President Trump's spirituality in the works, and he recently launched a political talk show on Facebook Live called "Faith Nation." 95. One of the most controversial evangelists of his generation, Angley received several criticisms for his claims and theories. Ted Haggard was the Chiclet-toothed face of evangelism for three years as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals. 70. Unsubscribe at anytime. We've included a short list of African-American televangelists who've managed to . Friday, 17 November 2017 09:07 AM EST. In no other nation would so many leaders be so clearly connected with politics. It sometimes seems that theres no scandal bad enough, no denial deep enough, and no heresy terrible enough to keep people outside the bounds of evangelicalism. John MacArthur A prominent author and pastor, MacArthur has authored or edited more than 150 books including the MacArthur Study Bible, which has sold more than 1 million copies in several translations. Cut to the mid-'70s. 77. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, more than 40 years later, their media empire has an estimated value of $750 million. . Shane Claiborne A leader in the New Monasticism movement and a founder of the Simple Way community in Philadelphia, Claiborne advocates for nonviolence and service to the poor and wrote the book The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical.. 39. He's also an executive producer for the show and produces the CBN childrens animated series Superbook.. Its quite a list and has generated no small amount of response. He also stated that a gay-friendly church was a satanic cult and that its inevitable annihilation would cause a celebration in heaven. 98. Sproul The writer of more than 100 books, including the highly praised The Holiness of God and Not a Chance, Sproul also hosts the widely heard radio program Renewing Your Mind. His Ligonier Ministries, which produces the show, is based in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. No, not just a satanist. Matt Walsh A millennial blogger and nationally recognized speaker on conservative cultural issues like abortion, pornography, and LGBT issues. 20. Herbert W. Armstrong was an American evangelist who pioneered TV and radio evangelism. 48. Tamara Faye Messner (ne LaValley, formerly Bakker; March 7, 1942 - July 20, 2007) was an American Christian singer, evangelist, entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and television personality. He spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2016 in support of Hillary Clinton. 7. Sproul, and Joni Eareckson Tada on the list. Art Rorheim As the co-founder of Awana, Rorheim helped create a weekly Bible club for kids that is now used in 19,000 churches in 100 countries and impacts nearly 1.5 million children each week. He also established the Liberty University and later tried to revive the PTL after its leader Jim Bakker was accused of rape. He was also a Sunday school teacher. Donald Miller A best-selling author and public speaker, Miller wrote Blue Like Jazz and other memoir-style books about his faith journey. Yeah, he died in jail. A. Allen, was a minister with a Pentecostal evangelistic healing and deliverance ministry. Jerry Falwell, Jr., president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, the world's largest evangelical Christian university. 29. In the United States, evangelicalism is a movement among Protestant Christians who believe in the necessity of being born again, emphasize the importance of evangelism, and affirm traditional Protestant teachings on the authority as well as the historicity of the Bible. Melton separated from her husband in 2016 and married U.S. womens soccer player Abby Wambach in 2017. Richard Roberts is an American author and executive who is currently servingas the chief executive officer and chairman of the popular Pentecostal ministry Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association (OREA), which was started by the famous televangelist and faith healer Oral Roberts. 50. If the list represents bad news, it represents good news as well. William Barber II An African-American pastor and political leader in North Carolina, Barber was president of NAACPs North Carolina state chapter until May 2017. To most people, it's exhausting. A televangelist can have his own congregation and church (sometimes large enough to be referred to as a "megachurch"), or he can work solely through television. Televangelists Who Were Anything But Holy. Alan Sears As general counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group, he has won many lawsuits on behalf of conservative Christians. The decisions that have been made and the tweets that have been tweeted have led to deeply divided public opinion and celebrity impersonations being hammered so far into the ground that they could be used to secure a subterranean mole people transcontinental railroad. 71. Lin, who has been outspoken about his faith, runs an online prayer group. Previous Post When he exposed fellow TV preacher Marvin Gorman for having extramarital affairs, that guy wound up out of a job. He is one of the most popular televangelists in the world, with his televised sermons being watched by millions of people every week in over 100 countries, including 10 million viewers in the US alone. John Piper One of the most prolific Calvinist writers of our time, Piper has authored more than 50 books on Christian faith. New Hope is also listed as one of the top ten most innovative churches in America with Outreach Magazine listing them as one of the "top five churches to learn from.". Oh, and in 2012, he was on Celebrity Wife Swap. Born out of his work as a pastor and author, he founded DesiringGod.org, an online resource of spiritual materials named after his most famous book and based on his many famous sermons as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis over his 33 years behind the pulpit. He once sued Hustler for $45 million because they ran a parody piece making fun of him, and took the case all the way to the supreme court. He is also the author of dozens of books, in addition to pastoring the 9,500-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. Joel Osteen is an American pastor, author, and televangelist. Jeremy Lin An NBA point guard, Lin recently kicked off his second stint with the Brooklyn Nets, but suffered a season-ending knee injury. 49. Oral Roberts After his father's demise, Armstrong became the voice of the church's radio program The World Tomorrow, which was aired around the world. A lot of that has to do with the minister's legal troubles and fall from public grace. 57. Joel Osteen is an American pastor, author, and televangelist. He is a frequent guest commentator on the Christian Broadcasting Network and serves on President Trumps personal legal team. Kirk Cameron The outspoken Christian actor converted to Christianity while starring as Mike Seaver in the ABC sitcom Growing Pains in the 1980s. Undoubtedly the most prominent evangelist at the close of the nineteenth century was Dwight L. Moody. Find out more about the greatest American Televangelists, including Joel Osteen, Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Kent Hovind and Jimmy Swaggart. All rights reserved. He lost. Mark DeMoss A former Liberty University board member, DeMoss resigned when Jerry Falwell Jr. endorsed Donald Trump for president. David Jeremiah Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, a Southern Baptist megachurch in California. 56. Rich Stearns The president of World Vision U.S., Stearns runs an aid organization that works with the poor around the world to better their lives and teach them how to be self-sustaining. According to her, the network serves as a personal bank account for the Crouch family, who aren't above zany shenanigans like having their chauffeurs ordained to avoid having to pay taxes on their salaries. 22. Rex Humbard was an American televangelist remembered for hosting the Cathedral of Tomorrow show, which was aired on over 600 stations. His primary message is that Jesus Christ has come again to be with his people. She spent time as a commentator for Fox News and is the popular author of several books on faith and politics. She initially gained notice for her work with The PTL Club, a televangelist program she co-founded with her then-husband Jim Bakker in 1974. 30. 17. Pat Boone A gospel singer who has sold more than 45 million records since the 1950s, Boone was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003. It all started in 1969 with a small ministry an hour outside Hollywood run by married couple Tony and Susan Alamo (ah-LAH-mo, but who cares). 51. God hated Communists, he said, presumably explaining why Jesus accepted Venmo for all of those loaves and fishes. Like, 1,500 people followed him. They have also been accused of greed. The personification of this phenomenon might well be Peter Popoff. Tilton's rebuttal? Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox. He pastors the largest church in America, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, with some 45,000 weekly attendees. Donald Trump's presidency will be, with any luck, the most polarizing point in American history that we'll live to experience. Was Thatcherism Good (or Bad) for the Economy. Ernest Angley was an American evangelist, television station owner, and author. This list may not reflect recent changes. He was also the guy who got really upset about the purple Teletubby back in the '90s. He is also a motivational speaker, television personality, and sometimes-conservative political commentator. Ernest Angley has been having a rough go of things lately. Vote in National Survey Here. DeMoss also runs a PR firm and serves on the board of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Did you read through Newsmaxs list? In fact, there are some in the top-ten (and far more in the full list) who are clearly not even true believers in Jesus Christ. 43. Joni Eareckson Tada For decades, Tada has been a popular speaker who has authored more than 40 books. We share news and information, stand up for persecuted believers, give True Love Awards and grow a Gideon's Army of faith. Here's the list! 69. He is one of the most popular televangelists in the world, with his televised sermons being watched by millions of people every week in over 100 countries, including 10 million viewers in the US alone. And what about some of those silent, faithful people who wield tremendous influence from behind the scenes? Moody received his call to serve God at an early age. . Paula White Often called President Trump's spiritual adviser, the multicultural megachurch pastor in Florida hosts the television show Paula White Today. White also chairs the evangelical advisory board for President Donald Trumps administration, and she delivered the invocation at his inauguration, becoming the first clergywoman to ever pray the invocation at a swearing-in. She is also an artist who learned to paint by holding a brush between her teeth, as well as a musician. A Jacob Albright A. Jimmy Swaggart is notable for a number of reasons, but none so important as the fact that his plastic-faced visage is the first thing that pops up if you Google image search "televangelist crying.". Early response to her new book, "Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life," has been positive, though. Though he didn't focus on TV, he lived the good life as a minister and Christian comedian, traveling the world spreading his message that the devil is coming for you and you'd better be ready to fight him. The top-11 includes three who are first politicians and several others who use their influence equally in both worlds. He switched lady friends with Gary Busey. 26. He has been an outspoken defender of President Trump and delivered the sermon at the then-president-elect's private worship service at St. Johns Episcopal Church on Inauguration Day. 40. The author of bestsellers such as Wisdom for Winning and Dream-Seeds, he has also writte the Topical Bible series and released gospel tracks. Full List Influential Evangelicals Rick Warren Howard and Roberta Ahmanson David Barton Douglas Coe Charles Colson Luis Cortes James Dobson Stuart Epperson Michael Gerson Billy and Franklin. He now hosts "Huckabee" on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Osteen's televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly and over 20 million monthly in over 100 countries.He is the author of ten books which have been ranked number one on The New York Times Best Seller list. The same thing happened to him, but with a private jet instead of new kicks. Copeland, a Texas evangelist, came under fire for a viral "Inside Edition" video in which he defended his three private jets. Pat Robertson Perhaps best known as the host of the "The 700 Club," Robertson is the chancellor and CEO of Regent University and the chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network. Everybody's known that one dude that can't stop himself from one-upping. . Paul and Jan Crouch got into the televangelism game during its early days, buying up television stations across the country and forming the Trinity Broadcasting Network, best known as the only television station that the TV in your Motel 6 room seems capable of playing. What did he make you do? The son of evangelist Billy Graham, Franklin Graham followed in his father's footsteps to become a missionary and an evangelist. He absolutely claimed all of that. Featuring Black preachers, televangelists who recently died, and more, this list has them all. He was made the senior pastor in 2006 but resigned from his position in 2008. Comprising nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, evangelicals are a diverse group drawn from a variety of denominational . Rev. His wife stuck with him, even after he was sued for allegedly going all "bad touch" on employees during mandated "quiet time.". All content Tim Challies, 2002-2023. He also founded StoryBrand, a marketing firm that helps businesses build their messages and branding. 82. He has hosted several television programs, including In Touch With Charles Stanley, leading to an induction into the National Religious Broadcasters' Hall of Fame nearly 30 years ago. Pages in category "American television evangelists" The following 112 pages are in this category, out of 112 total. 32. He is still on the YWAM Global Leadership Team. His ministry became so popular that he attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 worshipers to his megachurch every week, and his broadcasts brought in scores of letters with personal requests for prayer and (naturally!) ", 64. Here are 30 well-known pastors of today that speak the truth of God and who believe every single word in the Bible. 42. Although Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings have remained popular over the years, they have also been criticized by the greater Christian community and former followers. Sarah Palin The former governor of Alaska and vice-presidential running mate of John McCain in the 2008 presidential election, Palin was very open about her Christian faith but was also strongly targeted by the media and the left for her conservative religious views. The 78-year-old Sproul also serves as co-pastor at Saint Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida. Matt Walsh specifically denies the label. He kept going, and now does infomercials selling his patented Miracle Manna, a guaranteed cure for, according to Popoff, basically everything. A month later, they've outgrown the darned things, and you have to ask your parishioners for $54 million to buy new ones. A Singing Faith. Despite suffering a paralyzing injury that made her a quadriplegic at age 17, Tada's lifelong spirit and faith has made her an inspirational model. He advised U.S. presidents on spiritual matters over the course of five decades. In theory, it's a beautiful way to spread a message of faith to the masses. 8. 47. A sentence reduction later, Bakker was paroled in 1994, and it wasn't long before his cherubic face was once again warmed by studio lighting and the liberal application of pancake makeup. If you're looking for a celebrity figure that's going to get hit with a scandal, you'd do alright perusing the ranks of televangelists. Second, the list is terrible. Bob Larson is an American television and radio evangelist. 90. The accusations are numerous and diverse. Things get creepier the more you read about the Alamos. John Piper John Piper is a very well-known preacher for his style (straight forward/not passive) and knowledge of the Bible. (You remember Jesus. AT&T DirecTV Censorship of Newsmax Continues, See More Here, "The Martyr's Oath: Living for the Jesus They're Willing to Die For,", Newsmax's Top 50 Religious Landmarks in America, Newsmax's Top 25 Christian Films of All Time, Newsmax: The 6 Biggest Failed Climate Predictions, Newsmax - The 10 Best Places in US for Seclusion, Privacy. David Wise This youth minister also happens to be a gold medal-winning Olympic freestyle skier. Michele Bachmann Bachmann was the first Republican woman to represent Minnesota in Congress, and later ran in the 2012 presidential election. 9. Jim Wallis The founder and editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine, Wallis is a left-leaning Christian activist who advocates for peace and social justice issues. Life was a hoot and a holler for Haggard. But I see what Newsmax was trying to accomplish and I think, according to their criteria, they assembled a list that meets their purpose. I spent some time pondering it over the holidays and thought Id share a few thoughts on it. Falwell Jr. also invested $5 million of Libertys endowment in Israel in 2016. It is good and right to see names like Tim Keller, Trip Lee, John MacArthur, John Piper, R.C. He was producing shows nearly every day and being broadcast on hundreds of channels across the world. It's so hard to focus your anger sometimes! The government started taking action in the early '90s, and Tony found himself on the wrong side of the law. Their top-ten are Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Joel Osteen, Mike Huckabee, Pat Robertson, Rick Warren, Jerry Falwell Jr., Joyce Meyer, Mike Pence, and the combination of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. If you've ever been at a cheap hotel, flipping through channels in the middle of the night, you've probably seen Marcus Lamb's work. 3. 25. Dobson advocates appropriate discipline of children and traditional marriage, among other conservative positions. Lamb's story is a familiar one. His show Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock has been a hit. Prestigious debunker James Randi exposed the trick on national television, and Popoff was never heard from again. Penny Nance As the CEO and president of Concerned Women for America, the largest public policy womens organization in the U.S., Nance has spoken out on the sanctity of human life, education, healthcare reform, religious liberty, and other issues related to faith. 44. Newsmax recently released their picks for the 100 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. Hal Lindsey is an evangelist and Christian writer. Glennon Doyle Melton is a lesbian who writes books lauded by Oprah Winfrey. 23. Garner Ted Armstrong was an American evangelist who succeeded his father Herbert W. Armstrong and took over the operations of the Worldwide Church of God. He has authored many books, including The Late, Great Planet Earth and Apocalypse Code. Was any of it true? Osteen's televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly and over 20 .more Kirk Cameron Age: 52 These 100 people undeniably wield tremendous influence over American Christianity. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil The founder of Overflow Ministries, Salter McNeil is devoted to racial and ethnic reconciliation and is a prolific speaker and writer on these topics. Thats not to say I like or respect the people on the list or that I even regard them as evangelicals (or Christians for that). Televangelism feels a lot like Game of Thrones once you read enough about it. Billy Graham's songleader looks back on the groundbreaking 1948 Youth for Christ songbooka memorable combination of beloved traditional hymns and contemporary praise songs for . According to Duplantis, God personally told him that He wants him flying in that particular plane, presumably because the Good Lord would never expect his followers to fly Southwest. 58. The wife of televangelist Jim Bakker and The Jim Bakker Show co-host, Lori Bakker had previously led a reckless life. This Newsmax list of the 100 Most Influential Evangelicals in America includes pastors, teachers, politicians, athletes, and entertainers men and women from all walks of life whose faith leads them to live differently and to help others in a variety of ways. Paula White, as quoted by Newsweek, doesn't seem to agree with that, saying, "Anyone who tells you to deny yourself is from Satan." Charles Stanley The founder and president of In Touch Ministries and senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, of the Southern Baptist Convention for more than 40 years, Stanley has written more than 60 books, some of them best-sellers. Keller has built Redeemer on wrestling with the challenges of scripture rather than promising good feelings and fortune. In a broadcast from 2015, Duplantis and fellow preacher Kenneth Copeland said it was because regular airliners are filled with people who would constantly be asking them to pray. If You Collect Social Security, Please Read This Critical Information . Eric Metaxas This award-winning Christian author penned the 2010 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association "Book of the Year" "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy." His influence has been noted by Christianity Today, Reader's Digest, and The New York Times. Warnke was sort of a big deal back in the day. He is notably creationist and pro-life, and attributes many of his political stances to his evangelism. Angley haspreviously been accused of operating a cult where followers are taught that enough prayer can heal HIV and "childless men are encouraged to have vasectomies and Angley who preaches vehemently against the 'sin' of homosexuality is himself a gay man who personally examines the genitals of the male parishioners before and after their surgeries.". In 1989, Bakker was convicted on 29 counts including mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Russell Moore As an ethicist, preacher, and president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Moore handles public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention. It turns out that some news just gets spread faster when you're being blackmailed for $7.5 million. If you're one of the people on this list, you're almost definitely going to say the devil made you do it. He had everything. Judah Smith Known as the pastor to the stars including Ashley Benson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Bieber, Smith is working to create faith-based projects for millennials including television, digital, and books.